swamp red maple

I just bought a 3 foot swamp red maple to make a bonsai and want to know if I should chop it shorter, which I do want it short, and trim the roots and put it in a bonsai pot? This is new ground for me and I want to be sure. What should I do to start the process? It is nursery stock and the trunk is about 1" in diameter. All of the bonsai I have, 7, I bought from wigert's and have just left them alone to grow, but this one I want to turn it into a formal upright style. any suggestions? Steve

Any chance of a photo, Steve?

Wait for cooler weather, Jan. or Feb.

In Naples, you probably can chop it now, but I'd do it in stages (depending on how short you want it) over the course of a couple of years so there are leaves that will let it transpire. Water carefully once the canopy has been reduced.

If you want to do it all at once, then wait as Billy suggests.

I would be OK with some pruning/chopping, but not the repotting.
I just pruned some Maples yesterday, they grow fast and require frequent pruning.
But, root work is a different matter.

Thanks guys. I think I will wait til winter to do the chop. Until then it will let it get stronger and the trunk will be bigger., making for a better look.